Alternative to fabric softener for DS's clothes

[Miss.B]

Hi everyone,

I've posted in another thread about the brown flakes you get on your clothes if you use a lot of fabric softener and don't descale your washing machine, but what do you ladies use as an alternative to a fabric softener for your little ones' clothes? I'll try to avoid the fabric softener but would still like to use something that is safe for his sensitive skin in the rinse cycle.

TIA!

[HotI]

don't use any fabric softener or alternatives. do most people do that?

[LionsandBears]

White vinegar is the best fabric softener. It doesnt wreck the machine or the clothes.

Bonus is it's cheap.

[Olive]

ive never used fabric softener, i sometimes use vinegar on my towels though

[Miss.B]

Thanks ladies, so the clothes won't smell of vinegar? And it's ok to use on DS's clothes? How much would you add to a big load (my machine is 8 kg). I've stopped a cycle just so I could ask what to add

[Harriet]

Baking soda is another option... I am yet to try it

For some reason I've always used apple cider vinegar as a fabric softener and I have no idea why! White vinegar seems to be the way to go

[LionsandBears]

I just throw some in the bit where the fabric softener goes. Say a 1/4 cup. No idea if that's enough or too much. The clothes dont smell like vinegar. There's enough water to take away the smell.

We just buy the 99c for 2 litre bottles. I also throw it down on the floor for a quick mop, especially in the toilet if there are dribbles on the floor.

[LimeSlice]

We use Epsom Salts here... We buy them in bulk and add oils to them.
Then I can use them in the wash, with clothes and MCN, use them for my cloth pads too; use them for the best baths ever and they are safe to go onto the garden (which is where all our grey water goes).
Plus, it is cheaper than baking soda.

[LionsandBears]

I did not know you could use epson salts like that. Apparently you can also use to clean the washing machine which I'm about to do right now i normally clean with baking soda and white vinegar.

[NaeNae]

We use Epsom Salts here... We buy them in bulk and add oils to them.

I was going to suggest epsom salts as well. We use that here for towels (never thought of DD clothes ) as we have hard water and the towels get too scratchie.

ETA - I also dissolve them first before I put them in x x

[Miss.B]

OK thanks ladies, I added about a cup of the vinegar to the large load and the clothes smell OK. I'll see how soft they are when they're dry. I'm now doing a new load, I have epsom salts so I'll try that next. I've also got some lectric soda washing powder??????? apparently you add it to the normal washing detergent and it helps to remove the grease marks and make the water softer. Anyone heard of those????

[NaeNae]

Yep Miss B thats what my MIL uses!!

[Miss.B]

Thanks lovelies! I have used the epsom salts in the second wash, the clothes seemed softer than if I didn't add anything. I'll try the lectric salts next, this is fun!!! I think my water must be hard as when nothing is added to the rinse cycle, the towels especially feel like cardboard!

[Kazbah]

I just throw a couple of drops of essential oil blend into the rinse thingy.

[Miss.B]

What essential oils do you add Kazbah?